Revival for the Dale’s title claim as Duku struck on his debut for Rochdale AFC against Gateshead. A crucial three-point grab away from home shortened the gap to the top as The Dale won 2-0.
It was a quick start for the Dale as James McNulty’s side went on the attack. A combination between Adebayo Rowlling and Gordon was denied. Back-to-back attacks hit the post, but the result was nothing—no goal for the Dale until the 32nd minute when Manny Duku showed brilliance on the counter-attack. Gordon to Dev and then to the debutant opened the scoring for Rochdale AFC, 1–0.
Duku scored his first-ever goal for the Dale and at the right time to do it. With just one minute of additional time, the first half ended with a 1–0 lead for McNulty’s side.
Second Half: In the second half, Gateshead created the first crucial chance to score but failed to convert. In response, the Dale went on to double the lead but were not able to score. The attacks went side by side, but no one was able to score a goal. The Dale brought fresh players from the bench.
In the 87th minute, they finally succeeded when Rowlling held the ball and then sprinted to the byline. A cross followed; the header was missed, but a rifle shot by Rayn East banged in the goal, and the score became 2–0. The Dale got their second goal and possibly secured the three points.
With the final whistle, Rochdale AFC secured three points, with just a one-point gap to the top. Meanwhile, the defeat made things more difficult for Gateshead, already at the bottom of the table.
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